Conventional or Aerobic Septic System – What Works for You?

Your home’s septic system is just as important as any part of the house. Without it, you’ll end up having a pool of mess not only in the bathroom but also in the kitchen and living room in the long run. Basically, the septic system is responsible for ensuring that all wastewater from your toilet and sink are properly taken care of, keeping your family safe and healthy all the time. There are primarily two options for septic installation – aerobic septic system and conventional septic. Here’s the 411 on the two.

Conventional Septic System

As the most common septic system type, the conventional septic system also referred to as the anaerobic septic system, is mostly found in both commercial and residential establishments. Anaerobic basically means that the oxygen content inside the septic tank is little to none. This septic system consists of a septic tank buried underground which holds and traps waste water from your home.

The conventional or anaerobic septic system works by trapping both liquid and solid wastes. While liquid substances float to the top, the solid ones will start to sink to the bottom of the tank. The liquid waste that forms on top is called scum. During the process, anaerobic bacteria present within the tank starts to break down the waste eventually producing waste water. The wastewater, in turn, will go through the pipes and into the water treatment tanks before it is released to the septic drain field.

Aerobic Septic System

In contrast to the first septic system option, an aerobic septic system more or less involves a complex process consisting of a septic tank, pump tank, and treatment plan in order to efficiently operate. Just like the conventional septic system, solid and liquid wastes enter the septic trash tank before settling into several layers. The wastewater produced will enter the treatment tank. The treatment tank, on the other hand, includes an aerator that effectively circulates bubbles all through it.

Since it is called an aerobic septic system, the air is definitely necessary in order to allow good bacteria to thrive. These aerobic bacteria are normally responsible for breaking down waste quicker and more effective than the conventional septic system’s anaerobic bacteria. As soon as the aerobic bacteria has been broken down, the wastewater will now get into the pump tank for final treatment.

Which one will work for you better?

Both septic system options work to ensure that wastewater is properly disposed of, but there are quite a few differenced to help you decide. Take the cost, for instance. An Aerobic septic system is basically more expensive than the conventional one considering the complex process that the waste has to go through in order to provide a faster turnout. Additionally, regular aeration and septic system maintenance is also necessary to make sure that the septic system will operate smoothly and without any glitch. The best thing about the aerobic septic system is that you only need a small septic drain field compared to the conventional one. This is attributed to the faster and more effective treatment of wastewater. If you have a small home or property, an aerobic septic system will definitely be the best choice.
Aside from a smaller drain field, most modern aerobic septic systems also come with alarms that indicate when the septic system is having some issues or mishaps. This helps the homeowner act earlier and faster in order to avoid more costly repairs in the process.

Knowing about the different types of septic systems is very helpful, especially when you’re thinking about installing one or replacing it. Whether you’d like the conventional one or you’re leaning towards the aerobic septic system more, the important thing here is that you know what’s in it for you.

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